Swimming device



Nov. 2b, 192:;

C. MEYER surname DEVICE Filed July 15', 1927 Patented Nov. 20, 1928.

UNITED STATES CHRISTIAN MEYER, OF NEW'YORK, N.

swmmme DEVICE.

Application filed July 13,

This invention relates to aquatic sportcraft and refers particularly to a swimming device by means of which even an operator uninitiated in the art of swimming may support, propel and steer himself over the surface of the water. I

One of the principal objects of the invention resides in the provision of an improved swimming device which is adjustable to compensate for variations in the height of the users. 7

The invention furthermore comprehends a device which is collapsible or foldable to occupy a minimum amount of space for storage or transportation,

As a still further object the invention comprehends in connection with a device of the character described, means which in starting, coacts with the water upon forward motion of the device, to elevate the normally depending or depressed rearend.

Other ob 'ects reside in the comparative simplicity of construction, the economy with which the same may be produced, and the efficiency with which the same operates.

With the above recited and other objects in view, reference is had to the following description and accompanying drawings in which there is exhibited one example or embodiment of the invention, while the appended claim define the actual soope of the invention.

In the drawings- Figure 1 is a top plan view of the device with parts broken away and shown in section to disclose the underlying structure;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the same illustrating respectively in full and dotted lines, the opened up and folded or collapsed positions thereof;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional'vie'w taken approximately on the line '33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentaryv detail sectional view taken approximately on the line 44 of Fig. 1.

eferringto the drawings by characters of reference, the device includes a main frame section to the opposite sides of which are attached buoyant hull sections 1111 providing a hull having a flattened upper surface 12 upon which the user is adapted to lie in a prone position. The main frame 10 is provided with depending front and rear bearing brackets 13 and 1a, the former supporting a transverse shaft 15 1927, Serial no. 205.409.

upon which a bevel gear 16 is secured. The shaft 15 has attached to its opposite ends cranks 17 projecting radially in diametrically oppositedirections, and. provided with hand grips 18 by means of which the shaft and gear 16 are adapted to be rotated by the user lying prone on the hull. The bear ingbracket '13 is further provided with a rearwardly and upwardly inclined bearing 19 in which a shaft 20 is mounted, the shaft having a bevel pinion 21 meshing with the bevel gear 16. The shaft 20 is connected by a universal oint 22 with a stub shaft 23 carried by the depending rear bracket 14, and the stub shaft has secured to its rear end a propeller 24. A rearwardly projecting substantially U-shaped frame is provided, which includes side arms 25 joined by abight 26. The bight portion has a rearwardly projecting vertical fin 27 at the center which is formed with vertically spaced knuckles 28. The knuckles 28are adapted to have alined therewith the vertically spaced knuckles 29 of a rudder 30, with hinge pins 31 extending therethrough to hingedly attach the rudder. to the rear end of the tail fin. knuckle 29 of the rudder has attached thereto a cross piece 31 formed with terminal loops 32 into which thefeet are adapted to be inserted for turning the rudder to steer the device. planing surface 33 is carried by the under side of the bight and tail fin 27 to constitute means for elevating the rear end of the device upon forward motion thereof. The forward ends of the arms 25 are provided with longitudinal slots 34: through which inwardly The upper A forwardly and upwardly inclined projecting fulcrum screws 35 extend, the inner end of the screws being anchored in the laterally projecting brace bars 36 which extend through the hull sections 11' and are connected at their inner ends to the web member 37 of the main frame 10. The slotand-screw connection permits of longitudinal adjustment of the rear frame with re- 10o spect to the hull to compensate for variations in the height of the users while said slot-and-screw connection also permits the rear frame'to be swung from the'useful position illustrated in full lines to thecollapsed or folded position illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 2. In order to maintain the rear frame in opened or useful relation to the hull, a pair of substantially U-shaped spring clips 38 are supported on opposite sides of no the rear rods 39, t e clips engaging the side rails 25 of the main frame. After the desired longitudinal adjustment of the rear frame with res ect to the hull is made, screws 35 are tig tened to maintain the adjustment.

In use the operator lies prone on the upper flat surface of the hull and grasps the hand 'ps 18 in the hands while engaging the feet 111 the loops 42. Initially the rear end will depend or be depressed below the surface of the water until forward motion of the device causes the planin surface 33 to eifecteleration thereof. he operator by means of vice in the esired direction.

What is claimed is:

A swimming device, including a buoyant hull upon which the user is adapted to lie in prone position, hand-operated propulsion means carried by and disposed beneath the hull, a rearwardly-projecting frame carried by the hull, a. foot-operated rudder on said frame, and aforwardly and upwardly inclined planing surface on said frame for elevating the rear end of the device upon forward motion thereof.

CHRISTIAN MEYER;

ort ion of the hull, by transverse the feet ma turn the rudder to steer the'de- 15 

